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Governance
Introducing Our Evolved Governance Structure
At LST, our governance model has been thoughtfully refined to ensure clarity, accountability and collaboration across all levels. This evolved structure is designed to promote value through strategic oversight, distinct delegation of responsibilities and robust communication channels that connect every tier of leadership.
Our circular governance structure comprises five interconnected components:
- Members hold the Trust Board to account, safeguarding our charitable objectives and financial integrity.
- The Trust Board sets the overarching vision and strategy, ensuring compliance and appointing executive leadership.
- Trust Board Committees provide focused oversight in key areas: Audit & Risk, Finance & Premises, High Quality and Inclusive Education, and People.
- Local Governing Committees bring the Trust’s vision to life at the Academy level, championing leadership and engaging local communities.
- The Chairs’ Forum serves as a vital communication hub, fostering shared learning and cross-Academy collaboration for the benefit of all.
This structure empowers each tier to lead with purpose, ensuring that governance is not only effective but also inclusive and responsive to the needs of our communities and pupils.
Statutory documents relating to the Trust Board governance arrangements, scheme of delegation, committee terms of reference and declarations of interests are available in the Governance section of Policies and Documents. Please find a summarised version of our Trustee information below.
Financial information, including annual accounts, executive pay and gender pay gap reports, are available in our Finance section.
Local Governing Board membership and attendance records are available in the Key Information Section of each Academy's website (direct links to these pages are available in the Governance section of Policies and Documents).
Want to get involved?
Please contact Rebecca Tills (Head of Governance, Risk and Compliance):
Sir David Carter - Member and Chair
Sir David is a former National Schools Commissioner and Regional Schools Commissioner for the South West. He has held leadership roles as a teacher, headteacher, executive head, and CEO of the Cabot Learning Federation, and now advises schools and trusts on strategy. He authored Leading Academy Trusts: Why Some Fail, but Most Don’t and serves as a trustee for multiple charities, including Centrepoint and the Laidlaw Foundation. He holds a Music degree from Royal Holloway, London, and enjoys music, golf, and Cardiff City FC.
Interests and date each interest commenced
- Wolfson foundation education awards board, Board Member, 01/09/2018
- Laidlaw Foundation, Trustee, 01/02/2020
- Future Academies Trust, Governance role, 01/09/2019
- Centrepoint, Consultant, 01/06/2018 – 01/04/2024
- Academies Enterprise Trust, Trustee, 01/09/2020 – 30/08/2025
Naill Santamaria - Member
Niall is Chief Investment Officer for the Laidlaw Private Office and Laidlaw Scholars Ventures, investing in startups led by Laidlaw Scholars. He has extensive experience in strategy, investment, and mentoring senior management teams. Niall studied Social and Political Sciences at Cambridge and holds an MBA from London Business School.
Interests and date each interest commenced
- Laidlaw Foundation, CIO, September 2021
- Highland Group Holdings, Employee, 01/09/2021
Matt Waugh - Member
Matt is CFO of Highland Group Holdings Ltd, providing financial leadership across entrepreneurial companies and family offices. A chartered accountant with 20 years’ experience, he has worked in advisory and executive roles supporting investment and philanthropic initiatives.
Interests and date each interest commenced
- Laidlaw Foundation, CFO, September 2019
Susanna V. Kempe - Member & Chair of Trustees
High Quality and Inclusive Education, People Committee
Susanna has over 15 years’ experience in senior leadership roles in international B2B and learning businesses, including CEO roles and marketing leadership across Europe, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. She read English and Philosophy at Newnham College, Cambridge, and is passionate about developing diverse, ethical leaders.
Interests and date each interest commenced:
- Musemio (11772596), Shareholder, April 2022
- Century Tech (08482934), Shareholder, May 2021
- Fashion Retail Academy, Governor, March 2021
- Rothiemay Trading Ltd (11313777), Director, May 2019
- The Laidlaw Foundation (Charity No. 1175245), CEO, January 2019
- Zapnito (08406532), Strategic Advisor, June 2018
Linda Conlon MBE - Vice Chair of Trust Board, Trustee
Vice Chair of Trust Board, Chair of People Committee
Linda is Director of the International Centre for Life, a £90m science village in Newcastle. She has led major regional development projects and served in leadership roles with the Association of Science and Technology Centres. She holds an MBE for services to science and science education.
Interests and date each interest commenced
- Newcastle University, Council Member, 2018
- Heart of the City Partnership (06373460), Director and Trustee, August 2018
- UK Association of Science and Discovery Centers (06798106), Director, September 2014
- Association of Science and Technology Centers, Executive Committee Member, 2009
- International Centre for Life Trust (Charity No. 1059607), CEO, Director and Trustee, March 2007
- International Centre for Life (Property) Ltd, (03261320), Director, December 2005
- International Centre for Life (Trading) Ltd, (03249323), Director, May 1997
Geoffrey Stanford - Trustee
Chair of High Quality and Inclusive Education Committee
Geoffrey is Head of the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle, and has previously led Fettes College and Sevenoaks School. He holds an MBA from INSEAD and has experience in consulting and investment banking. An accomplished adventurer and musician, he is married with two sons.
Interests and date each interest commenced
- Royal Grammar School Newcastle, Headmaster, August 2019
- RGS Education Trust, Trustee, 2020
- HMC, Director, June 2025
Paul Farrow - Trustee
Co-Chair Audit Committee
Paul is Head of IT Service at HM Treasury, with over 15 years’ experience in digital operations, service management, and organisational change. A Chartered IT Professional and ITIL Master, he is committed to education, equity, and governance, and is a parent of a Laidlaw Academy pupil.
Interests and date each interest commenced
- HM Treasury, Employer, 11/04/2023,
- Together Learning Partnership, 01/02/2023
Nicola Palmarini - Trustee
People, High Quality and Inclusive Eucation Committee
Nicola is Director of UK's National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) with prior roles at the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab and IBM Research, USA. He is an author, applied research scientist, and board member of multiple ageing and innovation organisations.
Interests and date each interest commenced
- Nil
Paul Foster - Trustee
Finance and Premises Committee
Paul has 35+ years’ experience in building services and asset management across public and private sectors, including education. He is a Trustee of Friends of the Elderly, a Commissioner of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and Chair of Carlton and Castleoak Holdings.
Interests and date each interest commenced
- All Saints Academy Dunstable, Trustee and Director, 09/07/2025
- Dioecese of St Albans Trust Board, Member of Finance, Operations and People Committee, 01/02/2025
- Thomas Whitehead CE Primary Academy, Chair of LGB, October 2023
- Roundwood Park Academy, August 2022 (Partner is an employee)
- Potential Ltd, Director, May 2022
- Castleoak Construction Ltd, May 2021
- Akwatia LLP, Member, February 2021
- PGF Holdings Ltd, Director and Shareholder, February 2021
- Friends of the Elderly, Trustee and Non Exec Board Member, February 2021
- Castleoak Holdings Ltd (and subsidiaries), Exec Chair, July 2019
- Lexica Health and Life Sciences Consultancy Ltd, Non-Exec Chair, May 2019
- San UK Invest Ltd, Director and Shareholder, August 2018
- Carlton Ltd, Exec Chair and Shareholder, July 2017
- Royal Hospital Chelsea, Trustee and Non-Exec Board Member, May 2017
- Merchant Taylors Company, Member of the Livery, January 2009
- Eebee Partners LLP, Member, November 2003
- British Army, Reserve Office, June 1982
Paul West - Trustee
High Quality and Inclusive Education Committee
Paul is CEO and Accounting Officer of Spencer Academies Trust, leading 21 academies and over 16,000 students. He is a trained Ofsted Inspector and National Leader of Education, with extensive experience in school and system leadership in the UK and internationally.
Interests and date each interest commenced
- The Spencer Academies Trust (Co.No. 07353824), CEO and Trustee, September 2017
- Department for Education, Headteacher Advisory Board, September 2020
Katie Stevens - Trustee
Chair of Finance and Premises Committee, Audit and Risk Committee
Katie is a Chartered Accountant with 30 years’ experience in finance, audit, and governance across the charity, public, and private sectors. She is a trustee for nine UK charities and trusts, and Chair of Northumbria Primary Care.
Interests and date each interest commenced
- Northumberland Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Non-Exec Director, September 2023
- Northumbria Primary Care, Chair, October 2023
- Ascent Academies' Trust, Trustee & VC, July 2020
- Ethos Academy Trust, Member, March 2021
- Epilepsy Action, Trustee, June 2022
- River Tees MAT, Trustee, July 2023
- Camphill Village Trust, Trustee, February 2023
- Northumberland Cricket Board, Finance Director, September 2023
- The Orpheus Centre, Trustee, November 2023
- Support Dogs, Trustee, April 2024
- Slaley Community Shop, Finance Director, September 2025
Roy Sandbach OBE – Trustee
Finance and Premises Committee.
Roy is Professor of Practice in Population Health and former Director of the National Innovation Centre for Ageing. He chairs Northern Accelerator and several advisory boards, and was awarded an OBE for services to science, innovation, and skills.
Interests and date each interest commenced
- Beacon of Light Academy, October 2023 (Family member is an employee)
- WISE Academies, Member, December 2019
Claris D'Cruz - Trustee
Co-Chair Audit Committe
Claris is a qualified barrister and charity lawyer with over 25 years’ experience in governance and non-profit leadership. She provides governance and EDI training and has served in voluntary leadership roles across schools and charities.
Interests and date each interest commenced
- Claris D'cruz Limited - Founder/Director - 29/11/2018 (11703351)
- SMART Academy Trust - Member - 18/02/2023